Volume 41, Issue 2 pp. 199-207
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Carotid artery longitudinal wall motion alterations associated with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance

S. Helena Taivainen

Corresponding Author

S. Helena Taivainen

Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland

Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland

Correspondence

Helena Taivainen, Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine/Kuopio University Hospital, P.O.B. 100, FI-70029 KYS Finland.

Email: [email protected]

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Tiina M. Laitinen

Tiina M. Laitinen

Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland

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Heikki Yli-Ollila

Heikki Yli-Ollila

Department of Radiology, Kanta-Häme Central hospital, Hämeenlinna, Finland

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Markus Juonala

Markus Juonala

Department of Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland

Division of Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland

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Mika Kähönen

Mika Kähönen

Department of Clinical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland

Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland

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Olli T. Raitakari

Olli T. Raitakari

Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland

Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland

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Tomi P. Laitinen

Tomi P. Laitinen

Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland

Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland

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First published: 19 December 2020
Citations: 5

Funding information

We acknowledge the financial support of the specified government transfers to Kuopio University Hospital, the Finnish Cultural Foundation of North Savo, Ida Montins Foundation, Kuopio University Foundation, Antti ja Tyyne Soininen Foundation, Finnish Medical Foundation, Orion Research Foundation, Aarne Koskelo Foundation and Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation. The Young Finns Study has been financially supported by the Academy of Finland: grants 134309 (Eye), 126925, 121584, 124282, 129378 (Salve), 117787 (Gendi), and 41071 (Skidi), the Social Insurance Institution of Finland, Kuopio, Tampere and Turku University Hospital Medical Funds, Juho Vainio Foundation, Sigrid Jusèlius Foundation, Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation, Paavo Nurmi Foundation, Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research and Finnish Cultural Foundation, Tampere Tuberculosis Foundation and Emil Aaltonen Foundation

Abstract

Background and aims

Our objective was to study relationships between the new biomarker of vascular health, carotid artery longitudinal wall motion (CALM) and metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods

Carotid ultrasound and assessment of MetS and its components were performed with 281 subjects aged 30–45 years. In the longitudinal motion analysis, the amplitude of motion and the antegrade-oriented and retrograde-oriented components of motion between the intima–media complex and adventitial layer of the common carotid artery wall were assessed.

Results

Metabolic syndrome, according to the harmonized criteria, was detected in 53 subjects (19%). MetS was significantly associated with increased antegrade and decreased retrograde longitudinal motion in the carotid artery wall. Augmented antegrade amplitude of longitudinal motion was associated with obesity (β = 0.149, p < .05) and low HDL cholesterol (β = 0.177, p < .01). Attenuated retrograde amplitude of longitudinal motion was associated with hypertension (β = −0.156, p < .05), obesity (β = −0.138, p < .05) and hyperinsulinaemia (β = −0.158, p < .01). Moreover, insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment index above 2.44) was associated with adverse changes in CALM.

Conclusion

Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance were associated with alterations in CALM. In particular, hypertension, obesity and hyperinsulinaemia were associated with reduced total peak-to-peak amplitude as well as increased antegrade and reduced retrograde amplitudes, all of which might be markers of unfavourable vascular health.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors have no conflict of interest.

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